Mirror Surface Grinding for Brittle Materials with Inprocess E.D.M. Dressing

Abstract

Use of a diamond wheel with superabrasive is required for mirror-like surface grinding of brittle materials. However, conventional dressing methods cannot apply to the diamond wheel with superabrasive. Recently, an electrolytic dressing method was developed for use with a cast iron-bonded diamond wheel and superabrasive. This technique can replace lapping and polishing. Using electrolytic dressing, surface roughness of the workpiece was improved significantly, and the grinding force was very low and the continuity of the grinding force was also improved. The purpose of this study was to achieve mirror-like surface grinding of ferrite with electrolytic dressing of a metal-bonded diamond wheel. For application of ultraprecision grinding for brittle material, superabrasive, air spindle, and in-process electrolytic dressings were used. Additionally, the effects of pick current and pulse width on ground surface were investigated, and suitable dressing conditions for ferrite were determined.